Hoyt's New Bows for 2011

At a retail price of around $1,300 the Hoyt Carbon Element is one of several products that will maintain Hoyt’s reputation as a cutting-edge producer of the finest bows. And $1,300 is still significantly lower than the price of the Carbon Matrix of 2010, which generated almost as much buzz for its $1,600 price tag as it did for its truly revolutionary design and undeniable quality.

“By improving our production process and increasing our capacity, we were able to cut costs and pass that savings on to our customers,” explains Hoyt Director of Marketing Jeremy Eldredge.

Touted as the pinnacle of Hoyt engineering, the Element is built around the carbon tube technology introduced in the eye-catching Carbon Matrix. Carbon offers superior weight-to-strength, along with reduced noise and vibration. And for anyone whose hunting season extends through the late fall and winter, it doesn’t hurt a bit that carbon remains warm to the touch in the coldest conditions. At 32 inches axle-to-axle, the Element is more than just a shorter version of the Carbon Matrix. The XTS Pro ARC limbs, with five layers of laminated materials to match the strength of the carbon riser, are new for 2011, as is the high-energy FUEL Cam, which offers a firmer wall at the back end than was the case for the XTR cam. The new In-Line Roller Guard is engineered with sealed bearings to reduce friction and limb torque, and the Element employs a new damping material called Stealthshot to stop string oscillation, reduce noise, and allow a cleaner release. The Silent Shelf—a silent riser shelf surface that prevents the arrow from contacting the riser and reduces the sound of fall-away rests—is another new feature, as is an offset stabilizer to counter balance bow-mounted accessories. The Carbon Element achieves very respectable speeds of 323 fps with a friendly 7-inch brace height. It weighs in at 3.6 pounds and comes in draw weights of 50, 60, 70, and 80 pounds with draw lengths ranging from 24.5 to 30 inches in half-inch increments. Overall this would be one impressively pleasant shooting bow at any speed. It just happens to be very fast. Available colors include Max 1, Realtree AP, Black Out, Half and Half (Black Out riser with camo limbs) and a special Bone Collector option with Black Out riser, camo limbs, and custom graphics.

Uncompromising bowhunters who lusted after last year’s Carbon Matrix but couldn’t swing the steep price, or bowhunters looking for a carbon bow that is a little longer axle-to-axle than the Carbon Element, will want to take a close look at the Carbon Matrix Plus. At about $1,349 retail the Carbon Matrix Plus is still clearly a high-end bow, but, like the Carbon Element, it reflects today’s current realities with some carefully achieved economies when compared to Hoyt’s first carbon-riser bow. Despite the lower price tag, the Carbon Matrix Plus boasts not only the same tubular carbon technology, but the same new FUEL cams, XTS Pro ARC limbs, Stealthshot string dampener, and In-Line Roller Guard found on the Carbon Element. The Carbon Matrix Plus also accepts Hoyt’s Pro Series 2-piece quiver options. Other specs, including the axle-to-axle length of 35 inches, the forgiving 7 1/4-inch brace height, and the speed of 318 fps, are identical to those of the original Carbon Matrix. A Long Draw (LD) option for bowhunters with longer draw lengths runs from 31.5 to 32.5 inches.

Fans of Hoyt’s famous TEC-LITE riser will not be disappointed with the new CRX series, offering what Hoyt engineers boast is the “sleekest, leanest TEC-LITE riser ever developed.” The series includes the CRX 32 and the CRX 35, the two being distinguished almost exclusively by axle-to-axle length. The CRX 35 weighs 4.2 pounds, making it slightly heavier than the CRX 32, and the shorter bow is a little faster 323 fps compared to a still very respectable 318 fps for the CRX 35. Bow bows feature the latest Hoyt technology in the form of the XTS PRO ARC limbs and FUEL Cams, as well as the previously mentioned Silent Shelf System, offset stabilizer, In-Line Roller Guards and Stealthshot string dampener. The CRX 35 also offers Hoyt’s Long Draw Option for bowhunters with draw lengths of 31.5 to 32.5 inches. Both these bows are available in an optional Dangerous Game Series. With draw weights of 80 or 90 pounds, these custom packages include reinforced components, wood grips, and custom Dangerous Game limb graphics. Retail prices for these bows start at $899.

For bowhunters seeking Hoyt quality and technology at a more moderate price, Hoyt presents the Rampage Series, which boast a pleasing number of Hoyt’s newer, high-end features on bows priced at under $600. The Rampage XT offers the same XTS Pro ARC Limb System and FUEL Cam as found on Hoyt’s other new bows. The Rampage provides the option of its own new technology, being built around the new ZRS 12 Split Limb System and M4 Cam. The Rampage is 34 inches axle-to-axle, compared to 32 inches for the Rampage XT, but the weight difference is negligible, with the Rampage coming in at 4.2 pounds and the split limb design of the Rampage XT shaving that to an even 4 pounds. The XT is a full 17 fps faster at 323 fps, but both bows come with the In-Line Roller Guard, Silent Shelf, offset stabilizer, and Stealthshot string suppressor. www.hoyt.com

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